Page 61 of Roman

Charlotte’s stomach growled, hunger hitting her full force.

Roman had snuck out long enough to make her a sandwich last night, which he presented to her proudly as if he’d conquered the world for her.She had grinned and devoured it, not having the heart to tell him it wasn’t as good as Grigori’s.Her mouth watered, picturing the sandwich.She had to get something to eat.

Moving as slowly as she could, she slid out of Roman’s embrace.He must have been exhausted because she managed to slide out of the bed without him moving an inch.

She stood there, hungrily raking her gaze over his glorious, tanned body.He looked like a sleeping god as he lay stretched out along the entire length of the bed.The sheet draped low over his hip, a dusting of dark blond hair disappearing underneath it, hiding her prize.

Charlotte had to snap herself out of her perve-a-thon.Get it together, girl.You need food.

On cue, her stomach gave another annoyed growl.She gave Roman another quick once over, biting her bottom lip in admiration of the sex machine that lay sleeping, then started looking around for her clothes.A naughty smile covered her face as she remembered he’d torn the pants and jumper from her body the afternoon before.

She found the pants on the floor at the foot of the bed, torn in two.Shit.Then she spied the jumper over on the floor near the window.

Charlotte crept over and picked it up.Also torn into pieces.Shit, shit, shit.She had no clothes.What the hell was she supposed to do?She didn’t even have any underwear.She eyed Roman’s chest of drawers, throwing a glance over her shoulder to make sure he was still asleep, then crept over to it slowly, opening the one she’d watched him go into when he’d retrieved the clothes before.

Jackpot.She grinned to herself, finding black sweatpants and jumpers folded neatly.She snatched a set and pulled them on in record time before she snuck over to the door, giving her sleeping warrior one last appreciative gaze as she quietly closed it behind her.

Charlotte tiptoed through the empty halls of the house.She couldn’t hear anyone moving about as she made her way down the stairs, her stomach leading her straight to the large kitchen.

She bee-lined for the coffee machine, staring at it like it was an alien from another planet for a good five minutes, trying to figure out how to work all the buttons.

I just want a coffee.She pouted.After another five minutes of tinkering around, she placed a mug under it, and off it went, making noises and fussing about.

While the coffee machine went about its business, Charlotte opened the doors to the sleek, black, double-door fridge and grinned like a little schoolgirl who had found a secret pile of treats.

I’ve struck gold.She gave a small squeal of delight, her eyes hungrily scanning all the food.Charlotte couldn’t believe it.Never in all her life had she seen so much food, and not just regular food stamp, bottom-of-the-line food, it was all expensive, top-of-the-range, best brand, best quality food.

She had lived paycheck to paycheck for so long, Ava and her scraping together enough change to share a packet of instant noodles for a meal, that she felt like it was all an illusion, a nasty trick of the mind she was playing on herself.

I could get used to this,she thought, quickly pushing the notion away.You won’t be around thatlong.

There were fresh fruits of every kind, some she’d never even seen before.Containers full of all kinds of sliced meats, hams, salamis, roast beef, roast chicken, and more.Chocolates, cakes, and sodas lined the shelves as well.She may as well have opened the door to a supermarket.

The freezer was filled with ice cream, waffles, hot pockets, and anything and everything that could be put in the microwave.She snuck a quick peek at the bottom and found even more delicious food.The choices were overwhelming.She was so hungry she was almost willing to eat a frozen waffle.

Charlotte shut the freezer, eyeing the shelves in the fridge again.She found a plate wrapped up with what looked like a fresh roll, meats, cheese, and salad.Bingo.With a twinge of guilt, she realized someone had clearly made it for themselves, but her stomach made the decision for her with a loud rumble.She was stealing the roll.

Swiftly grabbing it from the fridge, she turned and placed it on the counter in the center of the kitchen.She ripped the Saran wrap off, almost drooling as she snatched it and took a huge bite, eyes sliding shut, groaning as she chewed.So good.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” an amused voice said from the doorway.

Charlotte jumped, nearly dropping the roll.Her cheeks heated, horrified she’d been caught stealing someone’s food.She gulped the mouthful down, quickly wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.She turned, not recognizing who had spoken.

Leaning casually against the door frame was someone she vaguely remembered sitting around the marble table the morning before.

He was huge, easily over six feet, with dark-brown skin and golden, amber-colored eyes.His navy shirt was tight, his muscles bulging underneath it.He had dark brown dreadlocks that sat just above his shoulders, and his body swallowed up the doorway as a sly smirk pulled at his lips.

Charlotte couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was something in the way he watched her.Like she was his prey, and he would pounce any minute.

She quickly shook the feeling off.It was a silly thought.Everyone here was a fallen angel, just like Roman.They were his family, so she was completely safe here.Paranoid much?

“No, of course not.I was just fixing myself a snack,” she answered casually, praying that the roll wasn’t his as she took another huge bite.That would be embarrassing.

“Is there anything I could help you with?”he asked her, slowly making his way around the kitchen, running his hand along the counter.His eyes never left her.

Charlotte shook her head.“No, no, thank you.”She picked up the roll again, taking another bite.The feeling she should flee the room overwhelmed her.

“My name is Turel.It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Charlotte.I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said, coming to a stop beside her, holding out his hand.